“You used this to mimic vine growth? Clever.”
Instead of growing naturally, they had been fastened to the trees. Looking closer, I could see there was a complex structure of knots, giving the illusion of a vine canopy with tendrils hanging down. It was stunning but a little strange.
Alfie was smiling at me as if he was about to let me in on a secret. Those butterflies in my stomach started beating their wings again.
“They have another use beyond just their appearance.” He held out his hands, indicating I should give him my own. His grey gaze implored me to trust him. I swallowed. This was why we were here after all.
I placed my hands in his and he raised me up, only putting a little strain on my feet. In my heels I was still comfortable. I thought he meant for me to hold onto the vines and didn’t realise until it was too late that my hands were being guided into knotted loops I hadn’t even noticed were there. He released me and I dropped back down onto the heels of my feet, causing the rope-vines to tighten.
I stared, open-mouthed. My hands were fully secured in a simple but effective slipknot. Before I could react, Alfie knelt and deftly divested me of my shoes. Without the sky-high heels to give me extra height, my body was pulled even more taut and Ididn’t have enough slack to free myself. I was stuck on my tip-toes.
This man was diabolical. He’d picked out those shoes so I’d be able to reach the vines without him lifting me, and then taken them away so that I’d be trapped.
I stared at him, shocked. My heart was hammering in my chest. The damp humidity had sweat beading on my skin already.
Alfie’s alabaster skin was flushed a light pink as he began loosening his tie. He was smiling, that hollow-cheekbone smile that made my core clench.
“Now, let’s begin.”
Ten
The air was wet but my mouth was dry. I tugged on the ropes, my breath catching in my throat.
“Don’t panic, Lo. You’re not powerless.”
“I’m feeling pretty powerless.” This had been a stupid idea. Why had I agreed to this?
Alfie moved in front of me. His gaze met mine, stilling my rushing heart without even touching me.
“I chose rope made from coconut husks because it's weaker than normal rope. If you put your full weight on it, it’ll give eventually.” He shrugged off his jacket, folded it neatly and placed it on the floor.
“You want me to be able to get free? Doesn’t that defeat the point?”
“The point of this is to teach you to trust me again. Completely. So no, it doesn’t defeat that. Did you think I was just going to throw you in at the deep end?” He gave the smallest shake of his head. “Baby steps, Lo. I tie you up for the first time using something you can get free from. I do it in an environment most natural to you. No sex swing, no whips and chains. Not yet anyway.”
I began to relax a little. He was right. I’d had visions of being tied up in one of the Onyx rooms, filled with fetish paraphernalia that I couldn’t begin to name. This environment made me feel safe.
“You thought of everything.”
“I didn’t think about how much I’d hate you not being able to touch me, but I do like having free range to touch you.”
He unfastened his cufflinks and put them in his pocket. I watched as he unbuttoned his shirt, taking his time. This wasn’t going to be quick. My mouth began to water as he revealed inch after inch of alabaster skin.
“You’re beautiful, Alfie Tell.” I hadn’t meant to say it but I couldn’t help myself. My man was a painting, a marble sculpture, a fantasy. Even in the dim orange light, I could see the hint of bashful blush, the shy turn of his eyes. It left as quickly as it came. He divested himself of his shirt, folded it and placed it on top of his jacket.
“I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what to do with you in here.” He stepped behind me. He smoothed my hair over one shoulder, leaving my back bare. His fingers went to the tiny clasp at the back of my neck, holding my dress up. He unfastened it but didn’t let it go. I held my breath, waiting for my dress to fall to the floor. It didn’t.
Why?
He was waiting. Waiting for me to tell him to strip me naked. He wanted it to be my choice.
“Do it,” I said before I could chicken out. No sooner had the words left my mouth did the clasp leave his hand. The silk brushed over my skin as it fell and pooled at my feet. A cool rush swooned over me before humidity settled on my skin.
He moved in front of me again and I closed my eyes. I don’t know what I’d expected but it wasn’t this. He’d barely touched me and I was already overwhelmed.
“No. Don’t close your eyes. Watch me look at you.”
I did as he asked, forcing myself to look at him. He’d seen me naked thousands of times – why did this feel so much more vulnerable? I pressed my legs together. His brows twitched and I stilled.
